2026 RBT Program Changes Detailed Changes
Last updated: November 20, 2025
Overview
Effective January 1, 2026, the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) is implementing significant updates to the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) program, including the examination content, eligibility requirements, and maintenance (recertification) standards. This document summarizes the changes and outlines our internal action plan for compliance.
Section 1: RBT Examination and Content Changes
The RBT examination will be based on the RBT Test Content Outline (3rd ed.).
Domain Title (New) | Previous Title | Tasks (Net Change) | Exam Weight (New) | Key Content Change |
Behavior Acquisition | Skill Acquisition | Decreased from 12 to 11 | 25% (down from 32%) | Weight and tasks reduced. |
Data Collection and Graphing | Measurement | Increased from 6 to 8 | 17% (up from 16%) | New tasks: "Calculate and summarize data," "Identify trends in graphed data." |
Ethics | Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice | Now includes 10 specific tasks | 16% | No longer references the entire RBT Ethics Code (2.0) generally. |
Total Tasks | Net increase of 6 (43 total) | 100% |
Section 2: RBT Eligibility and Maintenance Changes
A. Eligibility Requirements (Training and Assessment)
Requirement | Current Standard | New Standard (Effective 1/1/2026) |
40-Hour Training | RBT Task List (2nd ed.) | New dedicated curriculum outline, including minimum duration requirements for each content section (e.g., Behavior-Change Interventions requires 20 hours). |
Responsible Trainer | BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D. | Must hold BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D AND complete the 8-hour supervision training. |
Assistant Trainer/Assessor | None | Must hold an RBT certification or higher. |
Initial Competency Assessment | Current RBT Task List content. | 3 minor revisions, including the removal of "stimulus control transfer." |
Initial Application Fee | $50 | $65 (Plus examination fee). |
B. Maintenance Requirements (Recertification)
Requirement | Current Annual Standard | New 2-Year Standard (Effective 1/1/2026) |
Recertification Cycle | 1 year | 2 years. |
Renewal Competency Assessment | Required annually. | Eliminated for recertification. (Required only as Reentry Assessment). |
Professional Development (PD) | None | New Requirement: 12 hours of professional development over the 2-year cycle. |
Recertification Fee | $35 annually | $50 every 2 years. |
Section 3: Frequently Asked Questions (Transition Scenarios) Summary
This section outlines requirements for applicants and certified individuals affected by the transition rules.
Transition Scenario | Summary of Requirement |
Application Approved BEFORE 1/1/2026 (Regardless of exam status) | No new training required. The existing 12-month approval period remains valid for taking the exam (up to 8 times). |
Certification Lapses ON or AFTER 1/1/2026 | New training and new assessment are required to reapply (no "bridge" course is available). |
Application Approval Expired BEFORE 1/1/2026 | New training is required if the previous certificate lacked the new 2026 approval statement. The most up-to-date assessment is always required. |
Completed NEW Training (New approval statement) but wants to apply BEFORE 1/1/2026 | Must wait until 1/1/2026 to apply unless the certificate also includes the current (pre-2026) approval statement. |
Completed NEW Training | The updated RBT Initial Competency Assessment must be completed after the new 40-hour training. |
For questions, please reach out to the BACB.
Source: https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/RBT-2026-Requirements_250723-a.pdf